2011 NHL Finals: 5 Reasons Stanley Cup Is Coming Back to Canada

As the hockey world enters the last game of the Stanley Cup Finals, the teams return to play in Vancouver.

The game is sure to be full of big excitement as both teams play their heart outs. But in the end, the Vancouver Canucks will bring the Cup to back Canada for the first time since 1993 and here are five reasons why.

Game 7 Is in Vancouver

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VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 04: Fans cheer after Alex Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks scored a goal against Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins in the middle of the first period during Game Two of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 4, 2

In this series, the Canucks have lost every game in Boston but have won every game played on home rink. With that record, losing in their home ice won’t be acceptable for them.

Add the fact that goalie Roberto Luongo seems to be way more comfortable at home, with two shutouts in three games, and playing Game 7 in Vancouver home falls right into the Canucks' hands.

Cory Schneider

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 13: Cory Schneider #35 of the Vancouver Canucks reacts after a shot from the Boston Bruins during Game Six of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 13, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Though Vancouver seems to be sticking to the Luongo plan for the beginning of tonight’s game, they will put in Cory Schneider if Luongo gets off to a rough start.

While Luongo has had some strong games during this series, adding Schneider to the mix makes the game a little more interesting if Luongo has an off-night.

The Raymond Effect

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 13: Christopher Higgins #20 and Ryan Kesler #17 help Mason Raymond #21 of the Vancouver Canucks off the ice after being checked by Johnny Boychuk #55 of the Boston Bruins in the first period during Game Six of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup F

Mason Raymond is out until sometime next season after a hard hit in Monday’s game resulted in a vertebrae compression fracture.  

While the hit didn't really fire up the Canucks on Monday, now they know the result of the hit; and they should come back with a vengeance.

Game 7 Is Not the Place for a Blowout

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 13: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with David Krejci #46, Tomas Kaberle #12, Milan Lucic #17, Daniel Paille #20, Rich Peverley #49, Michael Ryder #73, Dennis Seidenberg #44 and Chris Kelly #23 after defeating the Vancouv

Let’s face it—Monday’s game was embarrassing for everyone involved with the Canucks. Even if being home doesn’t motivate them to play, the fear of getting scored on four times in less than ten minutes will.

Losing the Stanley Cup is hard enough. Losing it by having the other team take command only a quarter of the way into the first period is unacceptable. The Canucks need to come back from that hard loss with more motivation to win than they have shown the rest of the series. And they will.

Vancouver's Offense Appeared at the End of Game 6

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VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 10: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks looks on during Game Five of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 10, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Monday night, Henrik Sedin got his first point of the series and the Canucks looked like they might make a comeback. Unfortunately, they were shut down with back-to-back penalties, allowing a goal from the Bruins’ David Krejci to make the game 5-2.

While the Canucks couldn’t use the last-period momentum to come back from being down so far, they can bring it into this game to make sure they don’t get left behind early. Add the fact that Henrik finally has the point monkey off his back, and the Canucks should be competitive tonight.

It may not be a blowout or shutout on the Canucks' part, but it will be an entertaining game.